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The Gibraltar Football Association today named their final 23 man squad for the final two Group H FIFA World Cup Qualifiers that see Gibraltar meet Estonia at the Estadio Do Algarve in Faro on Saturday 7th October; incidentally the last time Gibraltar is due to play Internationals there before the long awaited return to the Victoria Stadium. The final game sees Gibraltar playing at the Stadio Georgios Karaiskakis versus Greece on Thursday 10th Ocotber.

Gibraltar United is extremely proud of the four players in our squad called up to defend the national colours. Chino, still awaiting his first minutes, and Jamie Bosio are once again called up. Erin Barnett is back after serving a one game suspension following his red card against Belgium. Brad Power also finally makes the final squad on the backs of a fantastic performance in our first league outing. Brad has been a regular in the 28 man squads and has been working hard on and off the pitch to make the cut. Mr Wood has finally decided to give him his chance and we are all very happy and proud of Brad.

Jeff Wood announced his 23 man final squad recently for the forthcoming World Cup Qualifiers for Russia 2018 versus Belgium and Bosnia Herzegovina. Gibraltar face the Red Devils away on Thursday 31st August while they receive Bosina at ‘Home’ at the Estadio Do Algarve in Faro on Sunday 3rd September.

Gibraltar United had four players named in the squad. Keeper and skipper Kyle ‘Chino’ Goldwin is now a regular call up and all at the club hope he breaks his International duck and receives a well deserved and earned cap. Erin Barnett also makes the cut along with midfield enforcer Jamie Bosio. Evan Green, soon to continue his studies in the UK, also earns himself a midfield berth. We wish them and the rest of the squad all the best as they face up to two difficult tasks in the coming week. Come on the Red and Whites.

All great stories come to an end sometime and for the the sharpest gun in the West the sun has set over his Gibraltar United Career on the pitch.

Robert joined us for the start of the 2015/16 season as our marquee signing in the attacking area of the pitch, leaving Second Division side Europa Point as the lure of working with former Boss Manolo was too strong for Robert to resist. He set the tone for his Red and White career by scoring his first goal in his first match against a feisty Britannia.

That set him off on a remarkable scoring streak that saw him net 15 times for the first team and a further 8 times for the Reserves. His goals against Man 62, Lynx FC and most notably Glacis and Angels FC saw the club safe in a difficult first season in the top flight. The moniker John Wayne was to serve Robert well in his first season as almost every ball he touched in the area was converted into a goal. His connection with Pitu was deadly as one can appreciate below.

Scoring 15 league goals in a struggling side, add to that 9 for the Reserves, brought Robert to the attention of Jeff Wood and the clamour for him to get capped was immense. Roberts prowess on the pitch made Mr Wood’s selection easy. A local forward getting regular game time and scoring regularly could not be left out despite the club’s standing in the league. As it was Robert earned his two UEFA caps in the home friendlies against Latvia and Leichtenstein in March 2016. He was to carry on being a regular call up for the following year as Gibraltar begun its FIFA journey as well; just rewards for his efforts.

The following season was much like the last as we fought at the wrong half of the table but yet again Robert ended the season as our top goalscorer, netting six times. It was with a heavy heart that he approached the club informing us of his decision to step down as age has finally caught up with him. His sharpness in front of the goal has not blunted and it will be Olympique 13 that will benefit from this poacher extraordinaire as he is sure to set the 2nd Division alight!

His eagerness to help with our youth has seen him become a coach and will continue that role. Though he leaves the club as a player he still works tirelessly passing on his experience and wisdom to the young strikers in our youth ranks. Indeed Robert has certainly become a Gibraltar United man through and through!

Farewell Capitan!

Credit to Christopher Milan, Christian Correa, Core Photography and Snaprimages for the photos.

The Gibraltar Football Association has today named their initial 28 man squad for the FIFA World Cup Qualifier versus Bosnia and Herzegovina on the 25th March. Gibraltar United, as can be seen below, has seven players named in the squad. Some have been called up regularly before, whereas for others it is a very well deserved call up in the UEFA/FIFA era.

Regulars Chino, Erin, Anthony and Jamie are joined by Pishu, Paul and Jason. We took some time today to canvass some of the players as to their thoughts regarding the call ups.

Paul Podesta was ecstatic considering his recent past with long running injuries which at times questioned his continuity on the pitch. Upon being asked for his thoughts he replied, ‘After being injured for two years and the possibility of never kicking a ball again, just playing football again is an amazing feeling in itself. Being selected for the preliminary squad of my nation; Lost for words!’ Certainly a reward for his immense efforts on and off the pitch.

Fellow newcomer, Jason Pusey, possibly the best in form local center half in the league, had the following to say, ‘Really proud to be called up for the national squad. Never give up and never give in! Hard work dedication!’ Indeed the epitomy of never say die this season, Jason has ably led the Red and White rearguard in the Premier.

Anthony commented that the bonus of international football served as additional motivation to improve, ‘Its a great honour as always and one of the biggest factors which make me want to improve as a player every day. Looking forward to it once again and working everyday to make myself an important player in the squad.’

Another regular in Erin Barnett also commented that, ‘it’s always an honour to be selected to represent my country, and it always feels just as special as the first time!’ thoughts echoed by goalkeeper Chino, ‘Its always an honour to see my name up there with Gibraltar’s best players! Its good to see that one’s hard work and dedication is getting recognised. I would like to thank my family for always supporting me and allowing me to chase my dream of representing my country at international level.’

Jamie Bosio repeated similar sentiments as he told us that, ‘for me each call up is as good as the first. It’s always an honour to be called to represent Gibraltar, which is something that I will never take for granted. I’d like to thank our coaches at Gibraltar United who have helped me throughout the course of the season.’

Gibraltar United is very proud that our players are called up to represent our Nation, A just reward for their hard work in a difficult season and also motivation for other players with aspirations of international football. We wish all our players the best and of course wish the National Team the best of luck.

The Gibraltar National Team is currently away in Portugal getting ready for a historical first ever FIFA World Cup Qualifier versus Greece on the 6th September 2016.

Mr Wood, national manager, selected four Gibraltar United players to represent Gibraltar in this match. These were Robert Montovio, Chino, Jamie Bosio and Anthony Hernandez. The former two repeat a call up after being involved with the national squad last March. The latter, two of our new Summer signings, get a first call up as Gibraltar United players.

From l to r, Chino, Jamie Bosio, Robert Montovio, Anthony Hernandez.

Thrown into the mix was a friendly game versus recently crowned European Champions Portugal. Though Gibraltar was at the wrong end of a 5-0 scoreline the lads gave a very creditable first half performance limiting Portugal to a a very fortuitous one goal lead. Anthony came onto the field 20 minutes into the game substituting an injured Anthony Bardon while Jamie came on as a Half Time substitute. Playing in front of a partisan 22,000 strong crowd must have been an experience and the club is proud to have these four players representing Gibraltar.

Jamie Bosio in action versus Portugal

Attention now turns to the aforementioned historical FIFA fixture versus former European Champions Greece next Tuesday. We wish the National Team the best of luck as the whole of Gibraltar gets behind them.

Congratulations to all at the GFA past and present who have campaigned so very hard to get Gibraltarian football recognised at the International stage. The most heartfelt congratulations from all of us at Gibraltar United.